Powrachute PEGASUS accident near Manhattan, Kansas, October 21, 2023
On October 21, 2023 at about 1:28 pm local time, a 2006 Powrachute PEGASUS (powered parachute), registered N52631, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Manhattan, Kansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper modification of the engine cooling system that resulted in an engine overheat and total loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight after the engine overheat light illuminated instead of performing a precautionary landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2023 · about 1:28 pm local time · cases in 2023
- Place
- Manhattan, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Powrachute PEGASUS UNDESIGNAT, built 2006 · all PEGASUSs on the register
- Registration
- N52631 · registry record · serial A181PEG
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before departing on the local area flight in the experimental powered parachute, the pilot installed a large heavy-duty deer feed bag that partially covered the radiator. He was concerned that the experimental engine would run “too cold” during the flight unless the radiator was partially covered. The powered parachute was flying about 400 ft above ground level when the pilot noticed that the engine overheat light illuminated. The pilot decided to continue flying. Shortly after, the engine sustained a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a road and the powered parachute came to rest upright on a grass embankment near the road. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and engine mount. Postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies with the engine. The large heavy-duty deer feed bag was found covering about 3/4 of the radiator surface area and was secured with two bungee cords. According to the airframe and engine manufacturers, neither company has published any guidance on covering up the radiator for flight operations. The large heavy-duty deer feed bag obstructed the radiator inlet and restricted its designed cooling capability. The engine then did not have a source of adequate cooling, which likely resulted in the engine overheating and a total loss of engine power. The pilot noticed the engine overheat light was illuminated and continued with normal flight operations when guidance from the engine manufacturer states to perform a precautionary landing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng liquid cooling › Incorrect use/operation other cases naming the engine
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Unnecessary action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure other cases naming the engine
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: powered-lift
- Flight time: 165 hours in all; 165 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 165 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 21, 2023
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 228 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 8, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax Aircraft Engines 582 UL (piston); 228 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: None Manhattan KS at 1:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 7:52 am from KMHK, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMHK 211252Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 06/04 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP126 T00610044
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 9 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of the aircraft at the accident site
Photograph 2 – View of the left side of the aircraft at the salvage facility
Photograph 3 – View of the right side of the aircraft at the salvage facility
Photograph 4 – View of the rear of the aircraft at the salvage facility
Photograph 5 – View of the heavy-duty deer feed bag covering the radiator
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on May 30, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Federal Aviation Administration - N52631 Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Exemplar Heavy-duty Deer Feed Bag Photographs | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 6 | Rotax Aircraft Engines and Powrachute Llc - Information | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N52631 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Powrachute PEGASUS 112 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Powrachute 189 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Rotax Aircraft Engines 582 UL 132 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in Kansas 1,147 since 1982 · 149 in the last ten years
- Kansas 5,740 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN24LA031.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.